Sanikidze Winery — Wine in Imereti, Georgia

In short

Sanikidze Winery is a family-run producer of Georgian wine and other spirits, based in Samtredia, in the Imereti region of western Georgia. The winery says it was founded in 2018 by the Sanikidze family and is now run by the fourth generation of winemakers from that family. It produces wine from Georgian native grape varieties sourced from both the Imereti and Kakheti regions, using what it describes as traditional, minimal-intervention methods, alongside vodka and other alcoholic beverages.

The estate and its history

According to the winery, the Sanikidze family has been involved in winemaking across several generations, and the company itself was formally established in 2018 to bring that family tradition to a wider audience. The winery states that its stated aim is “to popularize Georgian wine and other alcoholic beverages and introduce them to as many people as possible,” a mission it sums up in the slogan “free your mind,” which it links to the idea of alcohol as something shared with friends and family rather than a product in itself.

The winery says its cellar is located in Samtredia, a town in the Imereti region of western Georgia, and that the business is currently led by the fourth generation of the Sanikidze family to work in winemaking.

• 2018 — Sanikidze company founded by the Sanikidze family
• Present day — fourth generation of the family leads the winery

Vineyards, grapes and method

The winery states that it makes wine from Georgian aboriginal (native) grape varieties, drawing fruit from both the Imereti region, where its cellar is based, and the Kakheti region further east. It says it follows traditional Georgian winemaking methods that involve minimal intervention in the liquid, and that no chemicals are added during production. The winery also says its cellar houses qvevri — the large clay vessels traditionally used in Georgia to ferment and store wine — alongside modern winemaking equipment. No vineyard size, in hectares, or production volumes are stated on the official website.

The wines

• Kisi — white dry wine, Kisi grape, Kakheti region, 2020 vintage, 12% alcohol.
• Tsitska-Tsolikouri Krakhuna — white dry wine, blend of Tsitska, Tsolikouri and Krakhuna grapes, Imereti region, 2020 vintage, 12% alcohol.
• Rkatsiteli — qvevri white dry wine, Rkatsiteli grape, Kakheti region, 2021 vintage, 12% alcohol.
• Aladasturi — red dry wine, Aladasturi grape, Imereti region, 2018 vintage, 13% alcohol.

No prices are given for any of the wines on the official site.

Visiting

The official website does not publish tasting hours, tour prices or a booking process for visitors. Travellers interested in visiting the cellar in Samtredia or arranging a tasting are advised to contact the winery directly, by phone or email, to check availability and arrange a visit.

Food and stays

The winery’s official website makes no mention of an on-site restaurant, guesthouse or event space. Visitors should not assume these facilities exist and should confirm directly with the winery if planning anything beyond a wine purchase or enquiry.

Awards

No awards or competition results are mentioned on the official website.

Location and getting there

Sanikidze Winery’s address is given as 97 Erosi Mandjgaladze Street, Samtredia, in the Imereti region of western Georgia. Samtredia is a railway town roughly midway between Kutaisi and the Black Sea coast, and sits around 220 km west of Tbilisi, a drive of about three to three and a half hours along the main highway. Visitors travelling through Imereti often combine a stop here with other regional sights, such as Kutaisi’s old town and churches, the Sataplia and Prometheus cave reserves, or the ancient site of Vani, all within reasonable driving distance of Samtredia.

Good to know

• Address: 97 Erosi Mandjgaladze Street, Samtredia, Imereti region, Georgia.
• Contact: sales@sanikidze.ge or +995 591 62 27 26.
• The winery was founded in 2018 and is now run by the fourth generation of the Sanikidze family.
• Wines are made from Georgian native grape varieties sourced from both Imereti and Kakheti.
• The winery says it uses traditional, minimal-intervention methods and adds no chemicals.
• The cellar reportedly contains both qvevri and modern winemaking equipment.
• No public tasting hours, tour prices or wine prices are listed online; enquire directly before visiting.
• No restaurant, guesthouse or events are mentioned on the official website.

Questions travellers ask

Is Sanikidze Winery open for public tastings?

The official website does not state visiting hours, a tasting menu or a booking system, so it is best to contact the winery by phone or email in advance to ask about arranging a visit.

What grape varieties does Sanikidze Winery use?

The winery lists wines made from Kisi, Tsitska, Tsolikouri, Krakhuna, Rkatsiteli and Aladasturi, all Georgian native varieties, sourced from the Imereti and Kakheti regions.

Does Sanikidze Winery use qvevri?

The winery says its cellar houses qvevri, the traditional Georgian clay vessels, and lists at least one wine, its Rkatsiteli, specifically as a qvevri wine.

How far is the winery from Tbilisi?

Samtredia, where the winery’s cellar is located, is roughly 220 km west of Tbilisi, around a three to three and a half hour drive.

Can I combine a visit with other sights in Imereti?

Samtredia sits within reach of other Imereti attractions such as Kutaisi, the Sataplia and Prometheus caves, and the ancient site of Vani, making it possible to combine a stop at the winery with a wider day trip through the region.

Sources

• Sanikidze Winery — official website (sanikidze.ge)
• Sanikidze Winery: See All
• Sanikidze Winery: Read More
• Sanikidze Winery: Contact
• Sanikidze Winery: Alc. 12%Kakheti Region2020White dry wineKisi
• Sanikidze Winery: Alc. 12%Imereti Region2020White dry wineTsitska-tsolikouri Krakhuna
• Sanikidze Winery: Alc. 12%Kakheti Region2021Qvevri white dry wineRkatsiteli

Profiled in depth by the GTour desk on 28 October 2026 from the property’s official website; photographs are the property’s own, from its official website, credited under each image. Not sponsored; tell us if something has changed.